O'Neill 'delighted' with second half despite heavy Celtic loss at Benfica
Celtic showed second-half fight but were ultimately outclassed away to Benfica as they were beaten 4-1 in the Europa League.
Key points
- Celtic lost 4-1 at Benfica in the Europa League, their second defeat in two league-phase games.
- Benfica scored three first-half goals through Jhon Duran's penalty and second strike and Alexander Bah's volley.
- Camilo Duran pulled one back for Celtic, who also hit the woodwork several times.
Celtic were beaten 4-1 away to Benfica in the Europa League on Thursday, leaving them with two defeats from their first two league-phase matches. Benfica scored three times before half-time, with Jhon Duran converting a penalty and adding a second goal, and Alexander Bah also on the scoresheet.
Camilo Duran, who had stayed in Scotland for the birth of his child before making his own way to Portugal, pulled one back for Martin O'Neill's side and later hit a post. Vangelis Pavlidis scored Benfica's fourth, and Celtic have now lost four of their last five games in all competitions.
How the goals came
Benfica took the lead in the fifth minute when Dane Murray kicked the back of Jhon Duran's leg in the box, and the former Aston Villa striker scored with a panenka penalty. Sebastian Tounekti then lost Bah, who volleyed in a cross from Gianluca Prestianni in the 23rd minute.
Auston Trusty and Celtic goalkeeper Vijami Sinisalo failed to prevent Jhon Duran from scoring a third in the 36th minute. Camilo Duran headed in a cross from substitute Haissem Hassan in the 63rd minute, but Pavlidis sealed the win in the 89th minute.
I'm really, really delighted with the second-half performance and it's a shame we conceded the three goals first of all.
— Martin O'Neill
O'Neill and McGregor react
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill told TNT Sports he was pleased with the second-half display despite the result. He said, "I'm really, really delighted with the second-half performance," and added that he believes Celtic can still qualify.
Captain Callum McGregor also spoke to TNT Sports, calling the game "a game of two halves" and saying the second-half performance gave the team something to build on.
